Well, it’s that time of year, the time when everyone climbs all over everyone else to get their Top 10 lists up and running. We’re no different here at the PCP, so we have some lists for you too. However, we are different enough to put a little spin on the exercise. So, mainly because we’ve yet to play all the major 2014 releases, here are the top games we played for the first time in 2014.

Yeah, bet you didn’t see that coming.

Of course, rather than keep it simple, we throw other lists at you first: Disappointments, games that need to be played more, honorable mentions. In other words, we talk about a lot of games in this one. Help you somebody!

GENERAL TIMELINESS:

08:20 — What We’re Doing
09:00 — Friendless Stats
10:48 — Disappointments
26:27 — Need More Plays
44:35 — Honorable Mentions
64:17 — The Top 10 Games We Played For the First Time in 2014

Episode 50! A Milestone. We’ve got special guests and previews of secret upcoming games by all-star designers and marching bands and . . . well, none of that really. Just Jim and Eric pontificating about some games they’ve played. But that’s what you came for, right? Right? Hello?

And here we are, on the last episode of our first season. Welcome. This, I believe, is also our longest episode as well (something I could look up, but if you’ve been listening, you know . . . ).

We discuss many, many things in this episode, including a trip to Stonemaier Games’ Design Day event, United Airlines’ complete incompetence (save one beautiful soul) and a bunch of games played. Long reviews of Panamax and Castles of Mad King Ludwig included for your listening pleasure.

We do rant and ramble a bit, but we think some of it is quite entertaining, and Jim’s story of his ridiculously long journey back from St. Louis ends with hope for us all.

You wanted it. We promised it. Then you waited for it. And now it is here! The COIN series comes to the Punching Cardboard Podcast. And this episode is so big that good ol’ T.C. returns to help carry the weight of this series.

We discuss some other games as well, and yeah, well, for the better part of an hour: COIN!!!

With Essen 2014 in the rear view mirror we take a look at the games we will be pursuing. Two lists, five items on each, 10 games that at least one of us will own even if home equity lines of credit are needed.

And then there are all the games that didn’t make our lists that we’re just not gonna buy. Nope, no way, no chance, only in an emergency, only if they look really great, or good, or at least appear in some physical form at our friendly local game store. But truly, other than that . . . .